Startups vs. Corporations: Where should you work?

Deciding between a startup and a corporation comes down to understanding where you truly thrive. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Tanya Fernandes at Imaguru. Her journey is a compelling example—she started her career in a startup, then joined Apple, and now she's diving back into the startup world with Sensemitter , a company specializing in player experience analytics. Check out her insights on the pros and cons of each choice.

?? Corporation: Stability with slow advancement

?Big name on your CV: Working for a well-known company adds weight to your resume. The brand recognition can open doors and provide stability.

?Defined roles, limited scope: In a corporation, you’re often the "CEO of your book of business." You have a specific role with clear responsibilities, which can provide structure and work-life balance.If you're staying late regularly, it might be a sign of inefficiency. Startups, however, often have less defined roles, which can mean more flexible hours but also longer workdays.

?Access to learning: Corporations invest heavily in training and development. For example, in our business development department, we had a company conduct a series of workshops on improving communication skills.They built an app that recorded your pitch, analyzed your tone and voice, and provided a dashboard with feedback. Although it wasn't groundbreaking, it was interesting.?

?Professionalism: Corporations place a strong emphasis on professionalism, both in hard and soft skills. It’s essential to maintain a positive attitude and strong communication skills, which is expected at all levels. Negative emotions are typically left at the door, ensuring a more consistent work environment.

?Limited access to information: In large companies, access to information and decision-makers is often restricted. This is understandable from a privacy and security perspective, but not being able to influence or even know many aspects of the business can be frustrating, especially after experiencing a management role in a startup.

?Slow career progression: In corporations, climbing the ladder can be really slow. You’re unlikely to pivot from an entry-level position to head of a department in a short time.

??Startups: Speed and growth?

?Close-knit teams: Startups offer a more personal and human connection. You often have direct access to everyone, including the founders. This closeness allows you to learn more, pivot, and switch roles more easily, fostering rapid development.

?Fast-paced growth: Everything moves quickly in a startup, including your career. For example, I joined SplitMetrics as a Sales Manager, and within a year, I was building and leading a sales team as the Head of Sales.?

?Room for innovation: Startups thrive on innovation. You have the freedom to experiment, learn quickly, and see immediate results. The ability to innovate at your level gives a strong sense of accomplishment, as you can genuinely say, “I did something great today.”

?Hands-on learning: Unlike corporations, where learning often comes from structured courses, startups teach you through experience. You take on tasks that may be outside your usual role, making the learning more impactful and practical.

?Chaos and burnouts: Startups can be chaotic. The lack of structure and operations can speed things up, but it also can be exhausting.? The fast pace often leads to burnout. Unlike in corporations, no one will tell you to stop working, so it’s crucial to set boundaries and maintain work-life balance by yourself.

?Potentially toxic environment: The unstructured nature of startups means there are fewer rules and expectations around mood and behavior. This can sometimes lead to a toxic environment if not managed carefully. However, corporations aren’t immune to this issue either—rules alone don’t always prevent a negative workplace culture.

Tanya highlights that the choice between startups and corporations is always personal—whether you're a T-shaped person, who values broad development across multiple areas, or an I-shaped person, with deep expertise in one specific field. She personally favors startups but recognizes the benefits of both paths. Which path aligns with your preferences?

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